by Wes Bloom
鈥楽tanding-room only鈥� is the best way to describe last Friday night at the 121 Steakhouse and restaurant in Assiniboia. Cars and trucks were lined up everywhere in town. There was literally no place close to park a vehicle. Hundreds of people showed up to support and participate in the Assiniboia Kinsmen Club鈥檚 first ever 鈥楥hase - the - Ace鈥� event. Of course, everyone in attendance hoped to win. That goes without saying.
Heidi Orten, in the first ticket drawn, won herself $773.聽 After all was said and done, Josh Krochak, was the big winner, taking home a paycheque of $9,152.
To say this event was a success, would be a gross understatement. According to Assiniboia Kinsmen Club president, Les Wilcock, and lotto chairman, Howard Ellis, this first event raised over $12,000 for the organization, plus the 50/50 draw raised $1,385 for this year鈥檚 Kinsmen Telemiracle. Devin Selman, winner of the 50/50 draw, took home an equivalent amount.
鈥淢oney raised from this and future 鈥楥hase-the-Ace鈥� events will be used for various community projects鈥�, said Ellis. 鈥淥ur hall, the Kin Hut, is in desperate need of repairs and renovations, so much of this money will be used for that. Other monies raised from future 鈥楥hase-the-Ace鈥� events will go back into the community of Assiniboia to help other local and necessary organizations.鈥�
鈥淲e are already working towards our next 鈥楥hase-the-Ace鈥� event鈥�, he said. 鈥淲e鈥檙e hoping that it too, will be a huge success鈥�!
